Device Display Unit

ABSTRACT

A display fixture for personal electronic devices. The personal electronic device display fixture comprises a base plate, a pillar and a display plate configured to display an MP3 player or other personal electronic device. The personal electronic device display fixture allows for the display of items associated with the personal electronic device and can be moved easily to various locations in a retail environment. The personal electronic device display fixture may also allow for the connection of an antitheft device to the merchandise.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of merchandisedisplay fixtures. More particularly, the invention relates to a fixturefor the display of personal electronic devices in a retail environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This section is intended to provide a background or context to theinvention that is recited in the claim. The description herein mayinclude concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily onesthat have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unlessotherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is notprior art to the description and claims in this application and is notadmitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

Retailers often seek ways to display merchandise that will increasesales. Traditionally, retailers displayed merchandise in the merchandisepackaging with associated items nearby the merchandise. Whilemerchandise was displayed in its packaging, the merchandise was oftendisplayed on shelves where items associated with the merchandise couldeasily be placed proximate the associated items. For example, retailerscould place items such as headphones, batteries and carrying cases nextto audio players on the same shelf.

As personal electronic devices have become smaller, retailers havesought new ways to display personal electronic devices outside of themerchandise packaging so that customers can evaluate the performance ofthe personal electronic devices. Therefore, display apparatuses havebeen developed that allow a retailer to display electronic merchandisefree of the merchandise packaging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments provide for an improved display fixture capable ofdisplaying an MP3 player or other personal electronic device and itemsassociated with the personal electronic device. The display fixture maycomprise a base plate, a pillar and a display plate and is configured todisplay items associated with the personal electronic device. In variousembodiments the display fixture may also allow for an anti-theft deviceto be operatively connected to the display fixture and the personalelectronic device displayed.

These and other advantages and features of the invention, together withthe organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparentfrom the following detailed description when taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numeralsthroughout the several drawings described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display fixture according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a display fixture constructed accordingto an additional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a display fixture constructed accordingto a further embodiment of the present invention and including amechanism for attaching a personal electronic device to the displayfixture and an anti-theft device; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method for displaying a device and displayfixture constructed according to various embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments provide for an improved display fixture capable ofdisplaying an MP3 player or other personal electronic device and itemsassociated with the personal electronic device. The display fixture maycomprise a base plate, a pillar and a display plate and is configured todisplay items associated with the personal electronic device. In variousembodiments the display fixture may also allow for an anti-theft deviceto be operatively connected to the display fixture and the personalelectronic device displayed.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display fixture, shown generally at100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The displayfixture 100 is configured to display personal electronic devices such asMP3 players. Referring to FIG. 1, the display fixture is operativelyconnected to the top of a shelf 1000, such as a wire grid shelf. Thedisplay fixture 100 comprises a top base plate 105 and a pillar 110. Adisplay plate 115 is operatively connected to the pillar 100 fordisplaying a personal electronic device 1010. The personal electronicdevice 1010 may be operatively connected to the display plate 115 sothat the customer may evaluate the performance of the personalelectronic device 1010 while the personal electronic device 1010 isoutside its packaging. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the display plate115 is rigidly connected to the pillar 100. In other embodiments, thedisplay plate 115 may be rotatably or otherwise movably coupled to thepillar 110.

The display fixture 100 of FIG. 1 also comprises a right display region120, a left display region 125 and a front display region 130 protrudingfrom the display plate 115. The right display region 120, the leftdisplay region 125 and the front display region 130 are configured todisplay associated items 1020. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the rightdisplay region 120, the left display region 125 and the front displayregion 130 each comprise a hook. In greater detail, the right displayregion 120 includes an arm 121 that projects away from the displayplate. A right hook 122 and a left hook 123 extend from the arm 121 andare configured to engage with an associated item 1020. In the embodimentof FIG. 1, the arm 121 projects substantially horizontal from thedisplay plate 115. However, in other embodiments, the arm 121 need notproject horizontally from the display plate 115.

In further embodiments, the right display region 120, the left displayregion 125 and the front display region 130 may extend from the pillar110 or the top base plate 105. Additionally, the number of hooksextending from the display arm 121 may vary. In yet further embodiments,the right display region 120, the left display region 125 and the frontdisplay region 130 may comprise, for example, a shelf, Velcro, buttons,an adhesive strip, or other mechanisms for operatively connecting theassociated items 1020 to the display fixture 100.

The display of associated items 1020 proximate the personal electronicdevice 1010 may increase sales of the personal electronic device 1010and items associated with the personal electronic device 1010. In thecase of an MP3 player, associated items 1020 may include, for example,gift cards for the purchase of music over the internet, headphones,headphone accessories, speakers, radio transmitters, audio outputadapters, audio capture devices, cables, connectors, remote controls,radios configured to operate with the MP3 player, chargers, protectivecases for the MP3 player, carrying cases for the MP3 player, dockingstations for the MP3 player, docking station adapters, athletic productsthat function with the MP3 player, clothing items configured to acceptthe MP3 player, display screen protectors, display screen enhancers,cleaning products for the MP3 player, tools for repairing the MP3player, replacement parts and other items whose sale or function may belinked to the MP3 player.

Together, the top base plate 105, the pillar 110, the display plate 115,the right display region 120, the left display region 125 and the frontdisplay region 130 comprise the upper portion 101 of the display fixture100. This upper portion 101 is configured to operatively connect with abottom base plate 135 that allows the display fixture to be connected tothe shelf 1000. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, four bolts 140 and fournuts 145 connect the top base plate 105 to the bottom base plate 135with the shelf 1000 between the top base plate 105 and the bottom baseplate 135. This orientation secures the display fixture 100 to the shelf1000 but also allows the display fixture 100 to be moved to anothershelf in a retail environment. In other embodiments, the number of nuts145 and bolts 140 may vary and need not be four. In additionalembodiments, the display fixture 100 may not use nuts 145 and bolts 140to operatively connect to the shelf 1000 and may instead be operativelyconnected using a clamp or other mechanism suitable for attaching thedisplay fixture 100 to a shelf 1000.

FIG. 2 shows an additional embodiment of a display fixture. The displayfixture 200 comprises a top base plate 205 and a pillar 210. A displayplate 215 is operatively connected to the pillar 210. A front displayregion 220 is located at the bottom of the display plate 215 on thefront side of the display fixture 200. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, thefront display region 220 comprises a hook. In other embodiments, thefront display region 220 may protrude from the pillar 210 or the topbase plate 205.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 is also configured to allow for the connectionof an anti-theft device 2000 on an anti-theft device mounting region222. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the anti-theft device mounting region222 comprises a plate operatively connected to the pillar 210. In otherembodiments, the anti-theft device mounting region 222 may be located onthe top base plate 205 or the display plate 215 and need not be aseparate plate. To facilitate the connection of the device to bedisplayed with the anti-theft device 2000, the display plate 215 isconfigured to allow a connection of through an opening 223 in thedisplay plate 215.

In a similar fashion to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the display fixture200 of FIG. 2 can be connected to a fixed structure using bolts 225, abottom base plate 230 and nuts configured to engage with the bolts 225.In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the bolts 225 are formed as protrusions ofthe top base plate 205.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a display fixture, shown generally at300, constructed according to a further embodiment of the presentinvention. The display fixture 300 comprises a top base plate 305, apillar 310 and a display plate 315. The display fixture 300 also has afront display region 320 that comprises a hook in one embodiment. Thedisplay fixture is configured to accept the device to be displayed in adevice attachment region 301.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, an example anti-theft device, showngenerally at 3000, is connected to the display fixture 300. Theanti-theft device 3000 comprises a device mount receptor 3005 and adevice mount 3010 which is configured to engage with the device mountreceptor 3005. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the device mount receptor3005 is located in the device attachment region 301. A mount cable 3015operatively connects the device mount 3010 to the device mount receptor3005. An alarm 3020 is operatively connected to the display fixture 300in an anti-theft device mounting region 322. An alarm cable 3025operatively connects the device mount receptor 3005 to the alarm 3020.

A device 3030 may be operatively connected to the device mount 3010using adhesive, screws, straps or other known mechanisms for connection.An opening 323, shown more clearly in the similar embodiment of FIG. 2at 223, allows the alarm 3020 to operatively connect to the device mountreceptor 3005 while concealing cords or cables which may clutter thevisual appearance of the display fixture 300 and the device 3030 fromsight.

In other embodiments, the type and configuration of the anti-theftdevice 3000 may vary and the configuration of the display fixture 300may vary accordingly. For example, if the anti-theft device 3000 employsa retractable cable instead of the coiled mount cable 3015 in FIG. 3,additional associated item display regions may be included as the visualappeal of the display fixture 300 and the device 3030 may not beadversely affected by the potential of the coiled mount cable 3015 tobecome tangled with the associated item display regions.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a method, shown generally at 400, ofdisplaying a personal electronic device using a display fixtureconstructed according to various embodiments of the present invention.At 405, a display fixture is provided. At 410, a device is operativelyconnected to the display fixture. At 415, an associated item isoperatively connected to the display fixture.

The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention havebeen presented for purposes of illustration and description. Theforegoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limitembodiments of the present invention to the precise form disclosed, andmodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings or may be acquired from practice of various embodiments of thepresent invention. The embodiments discussed herein were chosen anddescribed in order to explain the principles and the nature of variousembodiments of the present invention and its practical application toenable one skilled in the art to utilize the present invention invarious embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

1. A display fixture, comprising: a top base plate; a pillar operativelyconnected to the top base plate; and a display plate operativelyconnected to the pillar; wherein the display fixture is configured todefine at least one associated item display region, the at least oneassociated item display region configured to display at least one itemassociated with a device to be displayed on the display fixture in aretail environment including at least one shelf, and wherein the displayfixture is further configured to accept the device.
 2. The displayfixture of claim 1, wherein the at least one associated item displayregion comprises at least one hook.
 3. The display fixture of claim 1,further comprising an anti-theft device mounting region configured toaccept an anti-theft device.
 4. The display fixture of claim 1, furthercomprising an anti-theft device operatively connected to the displayfixture, wherein the anti-theft device is configured to operativelyconnect to a device to be displayed.
 5. The display fixture of claim 1,further comprising: an anti-theft device mounting region configured toaccept an anti-theft device; and an anti-theft device operativelyconnected to the display fixture in the anti-theft device mountingregion, the anti-theft device including: an alarm; a device mountoperatively connected to the alarm; and a device mount receptorconfigured to engage with the device mount and operatively connected tothe device mount.
 6. The display fixture of claim 1, wherein the atleast one item associated with the device to be displayed on the displayfixture is selected from the group consisting of gift cards for thepurchase of music over the internet, headphones, headphone accessories,speakers, radio transmitters, audio output adapters, audio capturedevices, cables, connectors, remote controls, radios configured tooperate with an MP3 player, chargers, protective cases, carrying cases,docking stations, docking station adapters, athletic products thatfunction with an MP3 player, clothing items configured to accept an MP3player, display screen protectors, display screen enhancers, cleaningproducts for an MP3 player, tools for repairing an MP3 player, andreplacement parts.
 7. The display fixture of claim 1, wherein the atleast one associated item display region comprises an arm including atleast one hook.
 8. The display fixture of claim 1, wherein the at leastone associated item display region comprises a horizontal arm projectingaway from the display plate including: a right display hook; and a leftdisplay hook; wherein the right display hook and left display hook areconfigured to connect to items associated with a device to be displayed.9. The display fixture of claim 1, wherein the at least one associateditem display region comprises two hooks projecting from the front of thedisplay plate.
 10. The display fixture of claim 1, wherein the at leastone associated item display region comprises at least one hookconfigured to accept at least one card to be connected to the at leastone hook.
 11. The display fixture of claim 1, wherein the displayfixture is further configured to operatively connect to a wire gridshelf.
 12. The display fixture of claim 1, further comprising aplurality of bolts and nuts, the bolts and nuts configured tooperatively engage each other to attach the display fixture to a shelfin a retail environment.
 13. A method for displaying a device,comprising: providing a display fixture, including: a top base plate; apillar operatively connected to the top base plate; and a display plateoperatively connected to the pillar; wherein the display fixture isconfigured to define at least one associated item display region, the atleast one associated item display region configured to display at leastone item associated with the device to be displayed on the displayfixture in a retail environment including at least one shelf, andwherein the display fixture is further configured to accept a device;operatively connecting a device to the display fixture; and operativelyconnecting at least one associated item to the at least one associateditem display region.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at leastone associated item display region comprises at least one hook.
 15. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the display fixture further comprises ananti-theft device mounting region configured to accept an anti-theftdevice.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: operativelyconnecting an anti-theft device to the display fixture, the anti-theftdevice configured to connect a device to be displayed; and operativelyconnecting the anti-theft device to the device to be displayed.
 17. Adisplay fixture, comprising: a top base plate; a pillar operativelyconnected to the top base plate and projecting substantially upward fromthe surface of the top base plate; and a display plate operativelyconnected to the pillar including: a right associated item displayregion; a left associated item display region; and a front associateditem display region; wherein the right associated item display region,the left associated item display region and the front associated itemdisplay region are each configured to display items associated with thedevice displayed, and wherein the display fixture is configured toaccept a device.
 18. The display fixture of claim 17, wherein the rightassociated item display region; the left associated item display region,and the front associated item display region each comprise at least onehook.
 19. The display fixture of claim 17, further comprising ananti-theft device mounting region configured to accept an anti-theftdevice.
 20. The display fixture of claim 17, further comprising ananti-theft device operatively connected to the display fixture, whereinthe anti-theft device is configured to operatively connect to a deviceto be displayed.